A proposal for an honors college at ETSU will be submitted for approval to the Tennessee Board of Regents in Nashville Dec. 4.
Dr. Jay Boland, the director of the Honors Program, and Dr. Rebecca Pyles, the director of research and sponsored programs, are involved in the strategic planning and research for the development of the honors college.
Teams of students and faculty have been charged with developing comprehensive programs for which the university will seek approval.
ETSU has two existing programs, the University Honors Scholar Program and the Honors in Discipline program, which are the foundations for the honors college.
“We have an outstanding Honors Program that was reviewed twice (recently in 2002) as an exemplary program and it is time to move to the next level,” said Dr. Bert Bach, vice president of academic affairs.
According to the strategic proposal, the Honors Program will expand by increasing the number of scholarships by eight in the next four years. Eighty students are currently enrolled in the four-year program, which accepts 20 freshmen a year.
Scholarships include tuition, standard fees, a book allowance, dorm rent and meal plans for each recipient. The honors in discipline program is comprised of 13 programs, which students may enroll and receive an academic performance scholarship enabling them to enrich their curriculum, Bach said.
The proposal recommends an increased number of disciplines, programs and scholarships for the honors in discipline program.
A new program will be implemented for transfer students who wish to set high academic goals, called Midway Scholars.
Forty two-year scholarships will be provided to attract exceptional transfer students who have completed associates degree at a Tennessee community college or on a competitive basis.
While the honors program is offered only to upcoming freshman, the Midway Scholars Program will be offered to juniors who qualify either academically or in specific areas of performance.
The honors college will provide opportunities for students who have other talents and ambitions in such areas as theater, art, music, digital media and bluegrass, Pyles said.
The proposal includes 10 in-state and 15 out-of-state four-year scholarships, which will be provided for students who demonstrate talent in visual and performing arts.
“We want to support talented and ambitious students that may not be good at my math class, but who excel in other areas,” Boland said.
Although ETSU has existing programs such as the International and Exchange Program and Collaborative Research Program, the honors college will provide additional support to include more students across campus, Pyles said.
The honors college will provide financial assistance, encouragement and preparation for any student interested in studying abroad or participating in the National Exchange Program. It will also encourage more undergraduate collaborative research and allow students to be recognized for their research skills and may be published.
The estimated cost of the honors college is $750,000 in the first year and $1.4 million in the next five years. The primary increase will be the additional student scholarships of $340,000 in the first year.
Other costs include hiring an honors college dean, staff members and one part-time director for the performance scholars program.
ETSU President Paul Stanton has committed funds for the honors college and has made fund-raising a top priority, Bach said.
“We are asking faculty for input, feedback experience and expertise to figure out the details,” Pyles said.
“We want to make ETSU a place where the top students out of high school choose to come.

Author